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  • 1.  Cleaning the Panels

    Posted 08-11-2025 05:41 AM

    Good morning everyone. When I bought this system they told me that I really didn't need to clean the panels. We'll I live in a very dusty area. We have wind and dust all the time. We have the dust storms called Haboo which are massive walls of dust. Anyway any tips on cleaning? Do I need to turn the system off?

    Thank you 



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    PAUL WOODMANSEE
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  • 2.  RE: Cleaning the Panels

    Silver
    Contributor
    Posted 08-13-2025 05:48 AM

    Hi Paul! I suggest checking out this thread here: https://community.ases.org/communities/community-home/digestviewer/viewthread?MessageKey=caca20d8-c88e-40da-8c71-2e61edee42ff&CommunityKey=c6070e36-6969-4c68-a4d4-3f7844c89ba5

    Thanks so much for posting on the online community! Please don't hesistate to reach out with any questions!



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    Ella Nielsen
    Membership & Engagement Director
    American Solar Energy Society
    Boulder CO
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    Original Message


  • 3.  RE: Cleaning the Panels

    ASES Life Member
    Posted 08-14-2025 12:39 PM

    I live in the Houston area. Because of the significant amounts of pollen combined with the air pollution my panels get a sticky coating on them after a year or so. During a re-roof I had a chance to have the panels thoroughly cleaned. I've had them cleaned on the roof by a local contractor previously. In both cases the panels appeared significantly cleaner but the increase in output was negligible. It did make the rooftop array look considerably better but didn't help the performance much if at all. We do get significant rainfall and don't have the dust storms like you do. I've found various cleaning solutions online but just a ph neutral car wash detergent worked fine but it did need agitation with a soft brush to remove the buildup. 
    I even tried using a ceramic glass treatment that has significant hydrophobic properties that's supposed to prevent things from sticking and allow the crud to be rinsed off. It didn't last even a full year. The environment was too intense for it to last as long as I hoped. I use a low powered pressure washer with a 26ft long extension brush to clean of obvious debris that takes time for the rain to wash off. One of the products I tried called EasyCoat is a water delivery product made by gtechniq that is applied after cleaning that worked well and was easy to apply but it still would need to be applied every 6 months. After a couple cleanings and treatments I still don't see much increase in output so I've stopped using it. Unless you get significant dust buildup without any rain to wash them it just wasn't worth the time and expense. It does improve the appearance if that's a consideration. The manufacturers coating appears to still be the best solution they have come up with. 
    Turning the system off while cleaning is advised and not using a pressure washer directly in the panel is also not advisable by the manufacturer. 
    YMMV depending on your local conditions. 



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    David Power
    Retired
    Katy TX
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    Original Message


  • 4.  RE: Cleaning the Panels

    Chapter Leader
    Posted 08-16-2025 06:35 AM

    Hi Paul,

    Not sure where you are located. I'm guessing somewhere between Yuma and El Paso. While most arrays are essentially self-cleaning from rain and snow, I have observed some arrays located near dirt roads or gravel pits that do collect excessive soiling. These will need periodic washing off with water and possible some physical action with a broom or brush once the modules have been wetted down, followed by a final rinse.

    Since modules are manufactured to the IEC 61270 spec, there should be no arcing if you were to spray them with water but I have seen some modules made with what turned out to be lesser quality edge seal and back sheets that have degraded over time and fail the wet leakage test. Even when failing this test, there is a safe current path to ground so long as the system was properly installed during grounding. If your system has ever tripped offline during or shortly after a rain storm, I would have an installer come out to inspect for degrading back sheets or improper grounding. Otherwise it should be safe to spray some water up there. You can shop online for a brush on a long extension pole to avoid the hassle and risk of getting on your roof unless yours is a flat, T&G roof is is common in the desert southwest.

    The only thing I would advise against is using a pressure washer. Garden hose should be fine though.

    -Rich



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    Rich Stromberg
    ESS Prog Dir / PhD Student
    Equitable Solar Solutions / Univ of Alaska Fairbanks
    Chair, PV Technical Division at ASES
    Colorado
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    Original Message


  • 5.  RE: Cleaning the Panels

    Posted 08-18-2025 09:44 PM
      |   view attached

    Hi Paul. I see most of the comments you received focus on electrical safety. When I was teaching PV courses, in one of my lessons I identified more than 25 non-electrical things that could go wrong when doing panel cleaning, based on my own experience on roof tops cleaning PV arrays. Some of these included: open skylights, slipping or tripping on a water hose, getting tangled in a hose as you let it off the roof, working near the edge of the roof, etc. Keep your eyes open at all times for potential risks.



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    Michael Arenson
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    Original Message